The Beatson’s Building Supplies Jim Clark Reivers Rally was decided by just 3.3 seconds at the end of the six stage event.
Local star Euan Thorburn and regular navigator Paul Beaton wrapping up a very successful weekend in their VW Polo R5 by taking the win ahead of David Henderson and Chris Lees in their Rally 2 Fiesta.
Thorburn and Beaton opened the day with a fastest time, four and a half seconds quicker than the Fiesta crew. David and Chris took two seconds back over stages two and three to head into the mid-way service only two and a half seconds down on the Polo.
Back out for the second loop and Thorburn and Beaton immediately struck the decisive blow. The Polo absolutely flying on the second run of Westruther, beating the bogie time by five seconds, Henderson and Lees dropping six seconds to the Polo on that stage.
The Fiesta was back on top of the time sheets on the final two stages to close the gap to 3.3 seconds at the finish. This gave Paul maximum co-driver’s points with David taking the SRC driver’s win. A great battle between the 2 crews at the top.
51 seconds back, Hugh Brunton and Drew Sturrock came out on top of a big battle for third place. Rory Young and Allan Cathers took 4th on the event.
Top Autoshop 2 wheel drive, top Albyn Garage Challenger and top Moates Offshore Junior all went to the same crew.
PROVISIONAL OVERALL TOP 5 AFTER ROUND 3 – DRIVERS
1. Jock Armstrong 82pts
2. John Wink 78pts
3. Hugh Brunton 76pts
4. Stephen Petch 67pts
5. Mark McCulloch 66pts
PROVISIONAL OVERALL TOP 5 AFTER ROUND 3 – CO-DRIVERS
1. Paul Beaton 82pts
2. Hannah McKillop 78pts
3. Drew Sturrock 76pts
4. Michael Wilkinson 67pts
5. Michael Hendry 66pts